3 posts tagged “television”
...starts this coming week, Sunday, September 9th at 10pm. I =LOVE= this show, best described as a mockumentary of the real life of Larry David, comedian. Couldn't get into it the first three seasons, or didn't really give the show a chance, but tried again three seasons ago, and it is just side splitting and I'm hooked. Seinfeld on steroids from the creator of Seinfeld. I've caught up with all the past seasons by purchasing all the prior seasons on DVD, and although each show stands alone, there is a chronological thread and "history" so if you can watch a season from beginning to end, it's a good thing. Whenever I need a pick me up or laugh, Curb goes on..
After a long hiatus, and some talk about no more episodes, I was thrilled to hear that Larry David would be back for a 7th season. Just looking at Larry makes me laugh.
No, not meant to be deep or psychological. I'm talking television. You know, Damages the great new show on FX
starring Glenn Close, Rose Byrne and Ted Danson? If you like must see TV, this qualifies This show had me hooked from the teasers, and it's been riveting, compelling, mind bending TV from the opening minutes to the closing minutes through two episodes so far. My gut feeling is this show is going to be my second favorite show after Heroes (or maybe on par) if the next few episodes can maintain the intensity and pace.
I'm so glad to see non-premium cable networks, like FX courting big screen stars and bringing them to the small screen with productions that seem on par with The Soprano's, Sex in The City and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Glenn Close was stellar in her one year role on The Shield with Michael Chickless, now she's got her own show to headline, and it's high caliber. No doubt the reason Damages has the has the feel of "the real deal" as the first two episodes were written by the Kessler's and Zelman of Soprano's fame.
The story opens with
a bloody Ellen (Rose Byrne) running through the streets of Manhattan and then
sent to an interrogation room, but we have no idea why. The story unfolds
dramatically from there, giving us glimpses of the world of high powered, amoral, win at any cost, take no prisoner's Patty Hewes one Gotham’s top legal eagles and the equally repulsive
people in a case she is prosecuting for damages, currently that would be one
Arthur Frobisher and his minions, played by Ted Danson. As the story unfolds in flashback, Patty
is on a quest to destroy Frobisher, a World Comm type exec who lead his workers
and stockholders to ruin, while he continued to line his pockets and portfolio. That's where aspiring attorney Ellen comes in. Wanted by several law firms, through a series of twisted events, she ends up with a prestigious position working for Patty Hewes. This all becomes master manipulation, unbeknownst to Ellen, as Patty needs her in her employ to get to her soon to be sister in law who has
information that could make the case for Patty and damage Frobisher permanently. All the manipulation and back ally meetings only leads up to the chilling discovery of murdered animals and people, with no answers, as a bloody and shocked Ellen sits and waits for counsel in that police interrogation room.
This is one clever ride. It appears it will be Dickensonian in the fact that intricate and different story lines will be used and woven in and out over time lending drama, suspense and mystery and will with any luck finish in a grand macabre tapestry. This is on my must see (or definitely MUST DVR) list from here on out. I would love to hear from anyone else who has caught the show so far and if your feelings concur with or oppose mine. Anyway, it’s nice to see non-premium cable channels put out work that at this point seems to rival those found on pay cable, but also could do just as well on the big screen attracting stars from that venue as well. Well done FX. I’m hooked - finally a dark Gotham tale I can get into!
Another Damages Review - "Hide Your Bunnies"!
It's nearly that time of year again where my unapologetic television habit comes to an abrupt end. It's not going to be so painful this time. Last year I enjoyed watching "Invasion", "Threshold" and the ungodly cheesy, albeit fun "Surface". Despite the fact "Invasion" started out slowly, but came to a great crescendo and a stellar season finale, and left me hanging all for nothing! All three shows were not renewed/canceled for the 2007 season. That was a bummer after last year's TV hiatus. Even the early Fall season's much critialy touted "The Nine", which I couldn't get into, which had the benefit of following "Lost", couldn't make a go of it. It seems networks aren't willing to build a following for thinking persons shows and the sci-fi genre is all but dead on the major networks. With the dumbing down of America, is the rise of game shows, reality TV and shows like "American Idol", "The Apprentice" and "Dancing with the Stars". Of course there are a few modern day "Melrose Place" shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives". All are quick ratings hits, as they are truly mindless TV. That's fine, but a little variety and sticktuitiveness for the rest of us would be welcome. Frankly, I don't think "McDreamy" or "McTreemy" are all that and a bag of chips. I'd rather watch Anthony LaPaglia any day, one of my favorite actors who has had many a stand out series canceled before it's time. Come to find out that "Without a Trace" is starting to flag in the Sunday night ratings. Figures.
IMHO, the two best shows on network television are "Heroes" and "Prison Break". I still have been tuning into "Lost", and although it's moving a slightly better pace than in prior years, still fails to move at a pace that reveals enough to keep my frustration level with the show at bay. "24", a perennial favorite in the past has been darn near unwatchable for me. They have forgotten the formula that made the show an exceptional standout. The show has fallen prey to lack of character development, tired plot lines which require one to suspend reality to the point of absurdity, and have not made us care about any of the people in the show as individuals. It's slick Hollywood production and nothing more this season. I say kill Jack and come back next year with a hunt for his killer or end the series gracefully. How many more times can Jack Bauer be beaten, whipped, made to feel cheap, be left for dead and then cling to the bottom of a moving semi for 10 miles at full speed while talking on his cell phone at the same time and we still believe?
Thankfully "Heroes" and "Prison Break" deliver unique story lines (not the same old doctor/hospital or police/crime drama) well paced action, character we care about and that are well developed, intricate multi threaded, believable plots. It's reminiscent of the great Charles Dickens who mastered the art of intricate, interesting and suspenseful story telling, like his masterpiece, "Bleak House". (If you didn't see the PBS rendition of this classic with Gillian Anderson, I suggest it's not to be missed.) Both shows are well cast and there is lots of eye candy. I'll be glued to this season's last 5 episodes of "Heroes" which resumes after a long hiatus April 23rd. They've saved the cheerleader, now it's time to save the world...
PS. It looks like it's going to be a while before any of us X-philers get a File fix. The lawsuit between Chris Carter and Fox over syndication profits has finally settled and he is at work on a script, which will be a stand alone episode not related to the unfinished series business regarding the ongoing alien conspiracy (details). Potential release date for the movie? Don't hold your breath...2012. Gee, I could be dead from the effects of global warming by then!
